Hernando Bookkeeper Accused of Stealing Thousands

HERNANDO COUNTY – A bookkeeper has been accused of stealing almost $72,000 from her longtime employer, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.

Dawn Marie Sokolowsk, 46, of Spring Hill, was charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud (over $50,000). She was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center, with a bond of $10,000.

The investigation began around May 2 when RE/MAX Realty and Home Adventures LLC owner Barbara Quist reported that several thousand dollars had been stolen from her bank accounts. Quist told deputies that she suspected her longtime bookkeeper, Sokolowski, stole the money.

Quist told deputies that she became suspicious of Sokolowski after noticing that Sokolowski had not reconciled the company’s bank accounts for several months. Quist got bank statements and immediately noticed payments being made on accounts that she did not have. Older bank statements revealed the fraud began in 2011, deputies said.

Quist told deputies that Sokolowski was a trusted friend and employee, and she never questioned her or suspected anything out of the ordinary until recently.

Deputies said they issued subpoenas for several of the company’s bank accounts. Bank statements confirmed that Sokolowski was using Quist’s money to pay her own bills. Deputies said the charges made by Sokolowski, using funds from various business accounts belonging to Quist, included Direct TV, $700.23; Bright House, $11,237.61; AT&T, $10,556.78; and Ally Bank, $14,790.68. The total stolen, deputies said, was $71,980.56.